1999:709 - N4–N6 KINNEGAD LINK ROAD, Rossan, Meath

Monitoring of the N4–N6 Kinnegad Link Road was originally undertaken by IAC Ltd for Valerie J. Keeley Ltd between 7 and 30 October 1998 (Excavations 1998, 166). This involved monitoring of all topsoil-stripping and below-ground construction activities associated with the 1km-long link road. Monitoring at that time failed to reveal the presence of either archaeological features or portable finds from within the development area.

An additional monitoring programme, over five days between 22 February and 5 March 1999, was carried out as a result of the construction of a road-over-river bridge that could not be undertaken at the time of the original groundworks.

Works associated with the bridge involved the excavation of a 150m-wide east-west river channel to the south of the existing Kinnegad River and the subsequent diversion of the river into this new channel. After the completion of the river diversion c. 0.5m of material was removed from the base of the river to accommodate a pre-cast concrete culvert that was placed on the riverbed to support the bridge construction above.

Monitoring of the excavation of the temporary river channel and the dredging of the base of the river failed to reveal the presence of archaeological features or finds. The Kinnegad River, which was excavated in 1936, was shown to have truncated in situ geologically deposited sand and gravels. Therefore dredging of the base of the river truncated in situ gravels. The previous course of the river was infilled by the material excavated from the construction works associated with the existing (i.e. 1936) Kinnegad River.

The temporary river channel excavated for this project truncated upcast also deposited at the time of the river diversion in 1936. This upcast was revealed in all areas of the development and sealed natural geology.

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